“Transforming the World with the Gospel of Christ.” That’s the powerful mission statement of Gospel Hall Kuala Lumpur. Right now we are standing in front of the PJ North Gospel Hall. I will tell you a little about it today.
Gospel Hall Kuala Lumpur is more than just a building. It is a Brethren Assembly. It is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. You might know this area as Chinatown or Petaling Street.
But first, let’s step back in time. The late 1950s were a time of change. Leaders of Venning Road Chapel saw a growing need. The new village of Petaling Jaya was expanding rapidly. It needed a church. So they secured a site along Jalan Gasing. It was half an acre.
In 1957 Christians from Venning Road Chapel began meeting. They gathered in homes for prayer. The first prayer meeting was held on February 16th. Then in early March 1959 something wonderful happened. The Petaling Jaya Gospel Hall building was finished. The inaugural service took place on Saturday, March 21st, 1959. This marked a new chapter for the community.
As the church grew, so did its vision. An outreach center called The Life Chapel opened in Section 17 in the mid-1960s. By July 1st, 1967, it became its own independent entity.
The church continued to expand. The Sunday School ministry needed more space. In 1980 a shop lot was acquired at No.22 Jalan SS2/103. This became the SS Gospel Centre or SSGC.
More expansion was on the horizon. In 1985 leaders decided to reach out to Subang Jaya. A shop lot was rented. The first service was held on December 3rd, 1989. It was named Subang Jaya Gospel Centre or SJGC.
Bandar Sunway was next. In September 1991 a terrace house at No. 46, Jalan PJS 7/4 was rented. This became Bandar Sunway Gospel Centre or BSGC.
The church’s growth didn’t stop there. In 1993 another center was started in Puchong. It was named Bandar Puchong Gospel Centre or BPGC. The first service was held on July 2nd, 1995.
By January 2000 SSGC, SJGC, and BSGC became autonomous assemblies. Later BPGC also became autonomous. Petaling Jaya Gospel Hall remained at the original Jalan Gasing site.
Today the PJ North Gospel Hall continues to serve. It welcomes believers and seekers. It offers various services and ministries.
Chinese service is held on Sundays from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. English service is on Sundays from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. There is also Adult Bible Study, Children Sunday School, Youth Discipleship and Young Adult Bible Study.
The PJ North Gospel Hall’s story is one of faith. It is a story of expansion and service. It is a testament to the power of community. It all began with a small prayer meeting. Now it is a network of Gospel Centres. It continues to transform the world with the gospel of Christ.